Starbucks appears to be hyper-focused on Northeast Florida, this time opening a new location in Regency at 9406 Atlantic Blvd.
Earlier this month, the national coffee chain was issued permits from the city to renovate the former home of TGI Fridays in Regency Park, according to Jacksonville Daily Record. Starbucks will share the 7,032-square-foot building with Banfield Pet Hospital. Tampa’s RAM General Contracting & Development Inc. is the contractor for this $750,000 project. The coffee shop will feature interior and patio seating and a drive-thru. There is no exact opening date.
While the Seattle-based coffee chain has opened up several locations throughout the greater Jacksonville area, they are also focusing on renovating existing locations. At the beginning of the month, Starbucks received a building permit to renovate the 1,751 square feet location at 4474 Town Center Parkway, No. 103, according to JDR. This location has yet to undergo these changes, but the renovations typically take a few weeks from start to finish.
While these two sites prove the company is nowhere close to slowing down its expansion plans, Starbucks witnessed an internal rebellion last month on Red Cup Day, the company’s busiest day of the year. On November 16, the company saw thousands of its employees walk out in protest of unfair labor practices, including workers in the greater Jacksonville area. While this also happened last year, it appears the Starbucks Workers Union is gaining popularity for the cause.
